Is This the Year to Replace Your Roof?

Roofing Material Lifespans

Unfortunately, your roof won’t last forever. However, the last thing you want to do is spend unnecessary money on a premature replacement. The first steps is to identify what your roof is made from and how old it is. Knowing the material your roof is made from will tell you what your roof’s average lifespan is. Meanwhile, knowing when your current roof was installed can help you determine how much longer your roof will last.

Common roofing materials and their average lifespans are:

• Asphalt shingles – 15-20 years
• Cedar shake or shingles – 30 years
• Clay tiles – 50-100 years with the tile underlayment lasting 15-20 years
• Concrete tiles – 50-100 years with the tile underlayment lasting 15-20 years
• Foam roofs – 50 years w/proper maintenance (periodic re-coats)
• Metal roofs – 40+ years
• Modified flat roofs – 20 years

If you aren’t sure when your roof was installed, you should schedule a roof inspection with a professional roofer, like ours at Lyons Roofing. A roofer can look over your roof, give you an overview of its condition, and give you an estimate of how much longer it will last.

Extending the Life of Your Current Roof

It is not unreasonable to expect to enjoy the full lifespan of your roof. However, to get the most out of your roof, you will need to perform regular roof maintenance. This means scheduling an annual roof inspection with a professional roofer and completing repairs promptly. You should also perform your own visual checks of your roof from time to time, and remove debris buildup and keep roof drainage pathways clear.

To Repair or Replace? That Is the Question.

Homeowners are rightfully worried about replacing their roof too soon. Roof replacements represent a big investment in your home, and you want to be sure you are making the replacement at the right time. Our professional roofers always look for viable repair options first, but there will come a time when replacing your roof is the right thing to do.

Signs you need a roof replacement include:

• You can see beams of light coming through into your attic from the roof
• There are excessive leaks or holes in your roof
• You have a disproportionate amount of damaged or missing shingles
• Your flashing is rusting, damaged, or missing
• There are sagging sections in your roof or water pooling
• You have excessive moss and other plant growth on your roof

Preparing for a Roof Replacement

No one likes a surprise roof replacement. By being a proactive homeowner, you can plan for your roof replacement in advance. If you know your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, start consulting with your roofer now. Discuss what type of roof you’d like to replace your current one with and take the time to explore your options.

Things to consider when selecting a new roof:

• Any issues or complaints you have about your existing roof
• What you like about your current roof
• How you want your new roof to look
• What performance features you are looking for
• Your budget

Above all, don’t be afraid to ask questions! We are always excited to share our knowledge with our customers, and our professional roof installers love talking to customers about what they do. Our ultimate goal is customer satisfaction, and we believe that the more information you have, the better you are able to select a roof you will be happy with.

Read our blog on roof replacements to learn more!